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Multiple Choice
How many codons are needed to specify three amino acids?
A
9
B
6
C
12
D
3
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that a codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis.
Recognize that each amino acid is specified by one codon, although some amino acids can be specified by multiple codons due to the redundancy of the genetic code.
To determine how many codons are needed to specify three amino acids, consider that each amino acid requires one codon.
Calculate the total number of codons needed by multiplying the number of amino acids by the number of codons per amino acid: 3 amino acids × 1 codon/amino acid.
Conclude that the number of codons needed to specify three amino acids is 3, as each amino acid is specified by one codon.